SAN JOSE DEL CABO, MAZATLAN, cANCUN AND PUERTO VALLARTA MEXICO
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Sea arch at Los Cabos.
Hola Mazatlan and Los Cabos; cool Mexico destinations are now part of WestJet’s family of hot winter getaways.
Now with bonus sun, sand and surf in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta too!.
We think you’ll just love our fabulous Mexico destinations; all of which are awesome winter holiday options from WestJet. Mazatlan and Los Cabos both have qualities that embrace old and new; luxurious and down to earth; activity filled and soothing calm. If that wasn’t enough choice, we’re now also offering flights to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta starting this fall!
Mazatlan, known as the Pearl of the Pacific, boasts top-notch sailfish and marlin fishing, traditional architecture and lively culture. While the twin resorts of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, known collectively as Los Cabos, are loaded with style if you want to be pampered and feel utterly relaxed. Check out exclusive shopping venues, fashionable clubs and elite spas so amazing, they draw ‘A’ list celebrities. Cancun is a coastal city on the easternmost side of Mexico, part of what is called the Mayan Riviera for its’ obvious likenesses to the elite and chic French equivalent; though blended with the ancient and mysterious Mayan people who lived there first. Puerto Vallarta on the other hand maintains a simple, old-world Mexican charm seen in colourful textiles, beadworks of the Huichol Indians and art from local artists. Treats for the eyes and ears; listen for Mariachi as you stroll through historic streets.
Meander along delightful esplanades on balmy evenings, feast on freshly caught seafood or laze on golden beaches to the sounds of crashing waves. This winter, beat the cold in any of these four extremely popular Mexican resorts for a vacation packed with fun and relaxation.
Grey whale.
Each winter, Los Cabos is the site of one of the most beautiful phenomena in the world: the courtship, mating and birth process of the gray whale. Whale watching tours can be found in any of the area’s marinas from January to March. You may even find local fishermen who will offer these trips for a reasonable price.
Bring your clubs and visit one - or a few - of the spectacular Mexican golf courses with stunning ocean views. In Mazatlan is the top-rated, 27 hole, par 72 El Cid Country Club Gold Course designed by Larry Hughes and Lee Trevino. Los Cabos has renowned championship courses too, such as The Raven Club in Cabo San Lucas, a Dye family course and the El Dorado, a Jack Nicklaus Signature course. In San Jose del Cabo you’ll find the Palmilla Golf Club, which was the first Jack Nicklaus signature course in Mexico.
Several golf courses in the Puerto Vallarta area make this a popular spot for visitors who are looking for beautiful green fairways, views of the Pacific Ocean and a backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountain range when they hit the links. With designs from golf legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf, the choices of courses are varied, challenging and fun!
Golfing in paradise is made possible in Cancun and the Mayan Riviera region too, bringing well known designers like Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, PB Dye and Robert Von Hagge to these parts to combine natural scenery and environment into curves, fairways and greens; creating an unforgettable golf experience.
Mazatlan has gorgeous beaches surrounded by impressive cliffs, lush vegetation and beautiful clear waters which are easily accessible to tourists. Waves vary from place to place for great swimming, surfing and parasailing anywhere along a 10km strip or other beach choices such as Playa Norte, Playa Gaviotas and Playa Venados.
55 km of coastline along Banderas Bay, consisting up of mostly wide, golden beaches, makes the area around Puerto Vallarta a beach-lovers delight. With the warm waves of Pacific Ocean at hand for any water sport you can think of, the hardest choice will be which beach to go to. Some are smaller and a bit quieter, such as Majahuitas and Las Caletas beaches, others, quite popular with locals and visitors alike are busy – especially on Sunday; typically a day spent with families. For lots of beach action, check out Destiladeras and Los Muertos beaches.
Most hotels in the tourist zone of Cancun are directly facing the beach thus have space allocated to their property; however guests are welcome to walk as far along the waterfront as they please – the length of the strip is considered public. Keep in mind though that you will likely only be able to use the facilities in the hotel where you are registered. The most popular beaches in Cancun are Playa Las Perlas, Playa Langosta, Playa Tortugas, Playa Chac Mool, Playa Ballenas, Playa Delfines, Playa Nizuc and Playa Caracol.
Riviera Maya beaches stretch all the way from Cancun to Tulum and are too numerous to mention; however it’s safe to say the no matter which one you choose, you’ll be sure to find a tropical breeze, the glittering azure water of the Caribbean Sea and never-ending, powdery sand. Heavenly only begins to describe the Mayan beaches!
Los Cabos is located at the point where the Pacific Ocean meets the cobalt waters of the Sea of Cortez and boasts out of this world swimming at Playa Medano or along the pristine beach at Playa del Amor at the foot of the rocky formation “El Arco”.
San Jose del Cabo itself isn’t the best location for swimming, although 2 miles east at La Playita and 5 miles west to Playa Palmilla you will find much calmer waters. Having said that, San Jose del Cabo has excellent surfing; the best breaking waves from March to November are at Playa Costa Azul and Cabo San Lucas has the famous right break at Chileno Beach.
Los Cabos is considered a top spot for divers and fishermen, especially scuba and sport fishing in nearby Magdalena Bay as it is full of colourful marine life and the most beautiful coral formations anywhere. Cabos San Lucas has “sand falls” off underwater canyon in San Lucas Bay.
Cabo is also known as “Marlin Alley” undisputed billfish capital of the world among sport fishermen. International fishing tournaments often take place in Mazatlan too, so your fishing choices are limitless in both resorts.
Sport fishermen can take day-trips departing from Cancun and Isla Mujeres, with a huge variety of types of fish to look for; Typically the spring brings marlin, sailfish and deep-sea billfish to these waters, however year round grouper, barracuda and tuna are found in the reefs.
Check out the two marinas in Mazatlan each with docking and maintenance services available. A 300-slip facility with full services in Cabo San Lucas is also the pick up location for water taxis to get to El Arco and Playa Amor on glass bottomed boats. Cruise ships regularly dock at Cabo’s massive marina too as one of the more popular stops for loads of cruise lines.
World-class windsurfing can be enjoyed in Riviera Maya, specifically the Nichupte Lagoon and the Bahia de Mujeres. Most marinas provide equipment rentals and lessons while waterskiing, water biking and parasailing can also be arranged at many marinas. Find rentals for many other water toys in the hotel zone too, including power boats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, Sunfish, Hobie Cats, inflatable rafts and inner tubes.
Visitors will find all of the activities listed above in Puerto Vallarta too, but two of the most popular attractions there are swimming with the dolphins and parasailing. You won’t want to miss the opportunity get close to these gentle creatures, even watch as they do acrobatics while you're the water with them, all under the supervision of a trainer of course! And what better way to see the gorgeous landscapes of Banderas Bay and the surrounding mountains than from above the ocean – don’t forget your camera!
Las Tres Islas, an island and ecological zone 3 km west of Mazatlan has exciting excursions and rock climbing, as does the Eco-tourism site el Cerro del Creston and Rancho el Venado near Mazatlan with hiking trials, 30 animal species, guided treks. In Los Cabos the jagged peaks of Sierra La Laguna offer rock climbing and hiking for adventurous travellers.
Visitors who enjoy pop or electronic music and dancing until the wee hours of the morning, will have loads of fun in a variety nightclubs which are always hopping. Discotheques are located in Mazatlan’s Zona Dorada exclusive area, mostly on Avenida Camaron Sabalo. Try Senor Frogs or Bora Bora. Check out the nightlife in these destinations too:
Places like Playa del Carmen, along the Maya Riviera also have a lively nightlife, though not quite as rowdy as some of the larger resorts. Classy and fashionable, the region offers mostly jazz clubs, cocktail lounges and intimate bars where a booth for two can provide an inviting spot for romance by candlelight.
Shopping in Mazatlan for arts & crafts, wickerwork, wood sculptures, saddlery, masks and ceramics is easy at Mercado Pino Suarez, the most traditional of markets on Benito Suarez Street. Also Mazatlan’s shopping in the Zona Dorada gives travellers the opportunity to look for traditional clothes, jewellery, artwork and souvenirs. Find unique souvenirs too in the many small shops in Playa del Carmen and other villages along the Mayan Rivera coast which specialize in pottery, cotton garments, wool shawls, baskets and rugs.
For high-end retail stores and upscale boutiques with every imaginable amenity for the discriminating shopper, go to:
- Puerto Paraiso Shopping and Entertainment Plaza in Cabo San Lucas;
- Las Tiendas de Palmilla in San Jose del Cabo;
- Plaza Kukulcan, La Isla Shopping Village, Plaza Caracol and Plaza Flamingo in Cancun’s Hotel Zone.
As there are so many great spas to choose from in any of our Mexican destinations, they can broken down into two categories for easy reference: destination spas, which offer spa services and nothing else, usually providing day services; or resort spas in hotels and vacation resorts which have varying services but mainly include pools, steam/sauna, yoga, meditation and much more as well. All spas will have very well trained masseurs and highly experienced practitioners. Wherever you choose to spend a day – or even a week – you are sure to feel pampered and totally relaxed after your spa treatments. Here are a few resorts that may be worth checking out when you are planning your spa vacation in Mexico:
- Paraiso de la Bonita Resort & Thalasso spa resort in Riviera Maya ;
- Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun ;
- Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Holistic Retreat & Spa in Cabo San Lucas;
- Grand Velas Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta
- Santuario Naturista del Pacifico – El Eden spa resort in Mazatlan.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Mazatlan, Mexico.
Mexico’s beaches and natural beauty provide a stunning backdrop for love; the breathtaking views, the sultry sun and calming sounds are just some of the reasons thousands of couples spend their honeymoon in Mazatlan, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta or in the Mayan Riviera. For your own little slice of paradise, you can rent simple and romantic bungalows at some resorts or stay in posh suites at others. Most places will have a bottle of wine and fruit basket waiting for you upon your arrival. Imagine moonlit dinners with fine food, bars and nightclubs to continue the celebration at all hours and beaches for strolling on sunny days and clear, starry nights.
Many couples decide to combine their wedding with their honeymoon when they come to one of these romantic places. Choose an intimate ceremony on the beach, a mystical ritual performed by a Shaman, an elegant fiesta in a garden or colonial hacienda, a celebration on a yacht/cruise liner or a traditional service in a beautiful old church. Most locations, including hotels and all inclusive resorts offer a variety of service packages, including photography, music, flowers, personal stylist, and judge or priest; right down to decorations, wedding cake and personalized wedding favours.
Several documents are required for a Mexican wedding:
- Each party’s "Tourist Card" received at the airport upon arrival.
- An original and copy of birth certificate for each party.
- Original prenuptial medical certificate with test results of syphilis, HIV, and Rh factor (blood type). This certificate should have been issued locally within the last 15 days.
- Passports of both parties.
- Divorce or death certificate, if either party is divorced or widowed.
- Originals and copies of the official identification of two witnesses.
Older, more established businesses and services in Old Mazatlan are quaint and well maintained; however the area hasn’t built much of the same commercial or modern conveniences as other Mexican resorts. You can also find smaller, quieter restaurants and lodgings in Playa del Carmen, and all along the Mayan Riviera from Cancun to Tulum. The region is considered inspirational to artists and romantics alike and stylish boutique hotels are common, in fact are the more popular choice for visitors; the reason for the region’s comparison to the French Riviera. Smart, sophisticated and chic, each hotel has a unique design and quality but unlike its’ European counterpart, without a huge price tag.
To find gleaming new resorts and hotels in Mazatlan, you’ll only need to travel as far as the Zona Dorada - The Golden Zone – on the Northern extremity of the district. Cancun’s tourist zone is a 22 km strip of coastline stretching out into the Caribbean Sea with many large chain hotels, all-inclusive resorts and mammoth buildings with every modern convenience you could imagine.
Puerto Vallarta has a variety of accommodations to suit those who are looking for anything from tranquility and simplicity to luxury and sophisticated style. Villas, bed & breakfasts, hotels ranging from 1 star to five and all-inclusive “Gran Tourismo” resorts are just waiting to exceed your expectations.
Recently the four lane highway between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, also known as the “resort corridor” has had loads of additions to tourist amenities. This connecting roadway is lined with miles of white same beaches and gorgeous coves, surrounded by modern luxury resorts and private villas.
Both San Jose del Cabo and Cano San Lucas have a wide variety of accommodation choices to suit every budget; all inclusive resorts, bed & breakfast inns, well appointed vacations apartments and condos as well as economy hotels.
Get to know more about the Mexican way of life by attending one of the many colourful and lively events taking place in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, the Mayan Riviera and Los Cabos each year. Some notable events which happen during WestJet’s seasonal service are:
- November welcomes the Puerto Vallarta Festival Gourmet International: celebrating food’s primal power in surprisingly sophisticated ways and;
- The annual Puerto Vallarta Film Festival: showcasing contemporary full-length films and documentaries from North and South America;
- The world famous Mazatlan carnival in February: 100 years of tradition, costumes and floats;
- Riviera Maya Jazz Festival in Playa del Carmen: enjoy free performances by national and international acts;
- Carnival: Cancun celebrates with floats, street parties, local food, drinks, and a variety of events, all over town;
- Candlemas in Cabo San Lucas: A combination of pre-Hispanic and traditional European festivities marks winter’s end at this early February event;
- Fiestas Patronales de San José del Cabo: San Jose del Cabo honors its patron saint with a week's worth of festivities in March;
- La Paz Tequila and Mariachi Festival: A day trip from Cabo San Lucas, La Paz hosts the annual Tequila and Mariachi Festival takes place each April.
Mazatlan beach coastline.
Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta are considered very traditional and the Mexican culture is time-honoured; with a very Spanish influence. Beautiful colonial architecture in the historic center or ‘Old Mazatlan’ includes The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception and streets with 19th century buildings. While Puerto Vallarta does have a modern marina and cruise ship port, the cobblestone streets and structures built with the Old-Mexico design will give you a feeling of stepping back in time – to simpler way of life. Be on the look out for donkeys being utilized for deliveries in parts of the city!
Before becoming a Hispanic region, Mazatlan was populated by the Totorames, who survived as hunter/gathers and were particularly skilled in the art of pottery. Unlike their more famous inland neighbors, the Aztecs, or the Maya people in the east, the Totorames left behind no great architectural pyramids or structural works. Their civilization ultimately ceased 200 years before the arrival of the Spaniards and Spanish colonialism.
You’ll find Puerto Vallarta in the state of Jalisco; the land of Mariachi as well as home state of the blue agave cactus – the key ingredient in the making of Tequila, the native drink of Mexico. The Huichol Indians migrated to the westward parts of Mexico in the 16th century, principally to the Jalisco state, bringing with them their style embroidery, beadwork, sombreros, and weaving; mostly clothing and bags – all of which are still visible in the region. All Huichol art depicts the prominent patterns and symbols featured in the Huichol religion.
San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, collectively known as Los Cabos, have a newer, American atmosphere. While still having a distinctly Mexican flair; retaining the look and feel of quaint, colonial villages, Los Cabos is somewhat isolated from the rest of Mexico, and as a result it was American companies that built much of the area.
Cancun itself is very like a large American city, with many of the same modern conveniences and attractions. However the corridor along the eastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula from Cancun to Tulum, known as the Mayan Riviera, has a much more authentic Mexican flavour. Villages and small towns along the way are popular with artists and their pottery, beadwork, paintings and textiles, such as blankets and rugs can be seen and purchased along the way.
The Yucatan is also home to many of the relics and customs left by the ancient Maya civilization. Sites throughout the peninsula date back as early as 600 AD and tell the story of the people who inhabited the area prior to the Spanish colonization of the Americas. The Maya were noted for have developed the first written language as well as for their beautiful art, spectacular architecture, as well as sophisticated mathematical and astronomical systems.
Mexico has the largest speaking Spanish population in the world. The official unit of currency in Mexico is the peso, however Los Cabos and Cancun feature many American products in its markets, and American dollars are the preferred currency in most shops.
In Mazatlan you’ll notice many small, white open-topped taxis along the seafront; you’ll rarely have to wait long for a taxi, but with any cab you hail, always ask the price before you get in. Negotiating a price is OK and as you get better at it, you’ll find you pay a very reasonable fare for your taxi rides.
There are two different types of public transport buses that run in Mazatlan. One runs along the main tourist strip right along the water and are air conditioned and quite new. Fares are around $.80 US per trip. The city is also served by regular "Mexican" buses which are not quite as modern but only cost around $.45 US per trip. The bus route is typically written on the windshield of the bus.
In Los Cabos, the main Terminal de Autobus is about a 10-minute drive west of Cabo San Lucas. Express buses with air-conditioning and restrooms travel frequently from the terminal to Todos Santos (one hour away), La Paz (three hours away), and Loreto (eight hours away). A one-way fare is usually about $4 to Todos Santos, $14 to La Paz, and $40 to Loreto. From the Corridor, expect to pay about $25 for a taxi to the bus station.
SuburBaja buses run along the Corridor between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas with stops along the way. The bus runs every half-hour from 7am to 10pm; the fare is about $2.
Taxis in Los Cabos are also readily available and rates are negotiable.
Buses and taxis are the easiest and most convenient form of travel around Puerto Vallarta. The fares for city buses are 4.50 pesos, which works out to about .40 cents. The public transit runs from quite early in the morning until about 11pm, and can be picked up on most street corners.
Puerto Vallarta is full of taxis, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one at any time. It’s also good to know that set fares are in effect and are posted in each taxi, as well as the daily newspaper and most major hotels – be sure to check before getting into the taxi if you want to be sure.
When you visit Cancun, you will probably stay in the hotel district - or tourist zone – which is located outside of Cancun City. Once there, you should find that everything you need such as shopping malls, banks, restaurants, clubs, etc. can be found along this 22 km stretch of coastline and within walking distance from your hotel – or at very least a short bus or taxi ride.
Buses and taxis will also take you to points beyond Cancun; in fact half an hour from the Cancun airport is Playa del Carmen, a quaint resort town where a lot of visitors who want to avoid the vibrant and sometimes loud strip of hotels in Cancun’s busy tourist zone. From Playa, a ferry to the island of Cozumel makes the popular scuba diving destination easy to access. From Cancun, bus tours are also offered to the famous Mayan ruins at Tulum to the south and Chichén Itzá to the west.
WestJet is pleased to offer seasonal service to our Mexican destinations; though service to Mazatlan from Calgary and Edmonton has temporarily come to an end and service to Cabo San Lucas has been halted temporarily from Edmonton, Vancouver and Calgary. Service to Mexico resumes in the fall of 2008.
In addition, a new non-stop flight will begin this fall, to Mazatlan from Vancouver.
New, seasonal service to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta will begin in the fall of 2008. Non-stop flights from Calgary and Vancouver to Cancun will be offered through WestJetVacations.com, both air-only and vacation packages; in addition to non-stop flights from Halifax and Edmonton to Cancun, on WestJet.com, with connections from any of WestJet’s Canadian cities. Non-stop flights from Calgary and Edmonton will be available to Puerto Vallarta.
Mexico has the following entry requirements for US & Canadian Citizens:
- Photo I.D. Drivers license, health card with photo, Canadian I.D. card.
- Visitors must hold a tourist card (FMT form). It is for single entry only and is issued free of charge and obtainable from travel agents, airlines, Mexican Consulates, Mexican international airports and border crossing points.
- Valid proof of citizenship. Original Birth Certificate, Citizen Card or notarized copy of naturalization papers.
Please note: you do not require a passport to enter Mexico, however; if you are travelling with a valid passport, points 1 & 3 are not required.
Do not lose or damage the bottom portion of your tourist visa which is returned to you after immigration inspection upon entry. You will to hand it in when you check in upon leaving the country. You are also legally required to carry it with you while you are visiting and if asked to show your papers, this document can be more important than your passport. As a precaution, you might want to write down your tourist card number and keep it in a different place than your Tourist Card. As with all travel documents, keep your Tourist Card in a safe place.
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